The instrument most preferably used for ritual circumcision is called
‘Izmel’ it is a well-polished razor sharp surgical knife. When using
this instrument in accordance to Halacha – Jewish law, the actual
circumcision is instantaneous and almost painless.
The clamp method was designed primarily for physicians and Mohelim
untrained in the skillful surgical procedure performed by a traditional
Mohel at ritual circumcision. Some may prefer the clamp method because it
is easy to use, and can be performed by a non-skilled individual.
The most commonly used clamps are the Gomco® and Mogen® type clamps
these clamps completely crushes and severs the skin, the nerve endings and
the blood vessels in a lengthy procedure causing extreme
pain
and trauma to the child. This
may even cause the child to withdraw into a state of
neurological shock
in response to the sudden and massive pain.
The Jewish law
Jewish law prohibits the use of a clamp for ritual circumcision, being
that an essential part of the ritual is ‘dam bris’ - blood of the
covenant. The clamp however tends to cause complete homeostasis as it
crushes the skin. Another reason for this prohibition is that the clamp
itself causes much undue pain to the child, and that is prohibited.
The FDA
In the year 2000 the FDA issued a warning about circumcision clamps, which
it said can cause laceration, hemorrhage, penile amputation, and
urethral damage.
The
circumcision debate
On one side there are
those Medical experts that provide evidence to the medical benefits of
circumcision such as a significantly lower risk for penile cancer and
urinary tract infections.
However there are those that say that the extreme pain and trauma caused
to the child at the time of circumcision can cause the child to withdraw
into a state of neurogenic shock. And that they claim outweighs the
medical benefits that circumcision has to offer.
Reason
for circumcision
The circumcision debate is valid if the sole
reason for circumcision is a medical one and the procedure for
circumcision is done using the clamp method.
However the
reason for performing circumcision by the Jewish people is a ritual one
(although there may be medical benefits to it as well) it is preformed as
a commandment by god and acts as a sign of God. Therefore Jewish law
governs the procedural method of ritual circumcision, this prohibiting the
use of a clamp but rather requires a quick and almost painless method for
the circumcision.
As many urologists and trained surgeons consider the traditional
method of circumcision: “A
simplified and expeditious method with excellent results and low
complication".
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